The 2026 Grand National has become a part of history, and what an event it was. Willie Mullins's I Am Maximus, ridden by Paul Townend, delivered an outstanding performance to reclaim the trophy, a feat not achieved since Red Rum's time. This victory marked Mullins's status as one of the greatest, having guided I Am Maximus to a career-best performance after a tumultuous novice chase season in 2022/23.
The partnership between I Am Maximus and Townend was remarkable, with Townend's experience and understanding of the horse's unique jumping style proving invaluable. Their confidence and power-packed finish were a wonder to behold. The modern Grand National has evolved, with a greater emphasis on competitiveness and high-class racing. While it may not be the same test of jumping as in the past, it demands a different kind of excellence.
The 2026 renewal, with its seven fallers and seven unseats, reminded us that uncertainty and drama still exist in the race. Rather than longing for the past, we should appreciate the spectacle that remains, one of the most thrilling in sport. The old Grand National may be gone, but its legacy lives on in a new, exhilarating form.